A coccidiose aviária é uma doença entérica causada por protozoários parasitas do gênero Eimeria. Visando uma maior compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na regulação do ciclo de vida dos parasitas, foram geradas 15.000 seqüências expressas (ORESTES) para cada uma das três espécies mais importantes: E. tenella, E. maxima e E. acervulina. O presente trabalho consistiu no desenvolvimento de componentes de anotação automática de seqüências para o sistema EGene, plataforma previamente desenvolvida pelo nosso grupo (Durham et al. Bioinformatics 21: 2812-2813, 2005) para a construção de processamentos encadeados (pipelines). Estes componentes foram utilizados para a construção de pipelines de anotação automática de seqüências-consenso obtidas a partir da montagem dos ORESTES de Eimeria spp. A anotação consistiu na identificação dos genes e atribuição da função dos respectivos produtos protéicos, baseando-se em um conjunto de evidências. As seqüências também foram classificadas e quantificadas utilizando-se um vocabulário controlado de termos de ontologia gênica (GO). / Avian coccidiosis is an enteric disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. Aiming at obtaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the life cycle of the parasites, our group generated 15,000 expressed sequences (ORESTES) for each one of the three most important species: E. tenella, E. maxima and E. acervulina. In the present work, we report the development of a set of components for the automated sequence annotation through EGene, a platform for pipeline construction previously described by our group (Durham et al. Bioinformatics 21: 2812-2813, 2005). These components were used to construct pipelines for the automated annotation of assembled sequences of ORESTES of Eimeria spp. The annotation process consisted in the identification of genes and the corresponding protein function based on a set of evidences. The sequences were also mapped and quantified using a controlled vocabulary of gene ontology (GO) terms.

O gênero Eimeria compreende um grupo de protozoários da classe Coccidia que infecta uma grande variedade de hospedeiros. Um total de sete espécies distintas Eimeria podem infectar a galinha doméstica causando enterites com graves prejuízos econômicos. A identificação das espécies pode ser feita através da análise microscópica das diferentes características morfológicas dos oocistos, um dos estágios de desenvolvimento do parasita. Alternativamente, ensaios moleculares baseados na amplificação de alvos específicos de DNA também podem ser utilizados. Em ambos os casos, requer-se um laboratório especializado e, principalmente, pessoal altamente treinado. Neste trabalho é relatada uma abordagem computacional para a extração automática de características para a representação da forma das distintas espécies de Eimeria. Foram utilizadas imagens digitais do protozoário nas quais aplicou-se técnicas de processamento de imagens e visão computacional para sua representação morfológica, formando três grupos de características: medidas geométricas, caracterização da curvatura, e quantificação da estrutura interna. A morfologia dos protozoários foi representada por um vetor de características constituído por 14 dimensões, o qual constituiu o padrão de entrada para o processo de classificação. Para o reconhecimento dos padrões, foram usados dois classificadores Bayesianos, utilizando-se como funções de verossimilhança a Gaussiana e a de Dirichlet, respectivamente. O primeiro classificador apresentou as melhores taxas de acerto, enquanto o segundo demonstrou melhor desempenho segundo a análise por curvas ROC. Como prova de princípio de que o sistema poderia ser utilizado por usuários leigos para o diagnóstico à distância de parasitas, foi implementado o COCCIMORPH, um sistema de diagnóstico de Eimeria em tempo real. O sistema permite o envio de imagens via web, assim como o seu pré-processamento e classificação remotos, obtendo-se o resultado do diagnóstico em tempo real. Essa abordagem totalmente integrada e implementada é inédita para o diagnóstico de parasitas. Entre suas vantagens principais está o fato de que o diagnóstico pode ser obtido sem a necessidade do transporte físico de amostras biológicas para um laboratório de referência, evitando assim riscos de contaminação do ambiente. Para o treinamento do sistema, foram obtidas centenas de micrografias de cada uma das sete espécies de Eimeria que infectam a galinha doméstica. Essas imagens também foram usadas para a construção de um banco de acesso público de imagens (The Eimeria Image Database). Além disso, a metodologia de diagnóstico foi também aplicada e testada com onze espécies Eimeria de coelho doméstico. Com isso, foram gerados dados inéditos de morfometria, micrografias adicionais para o banco de imagens, e um sistema de classificação para esse conjunto adicional de parasitas. Finalmente, foram determinadas as distâncias entre as diferentes espécies de Eimeria, calculadas a partir dos dados morfométricos. As árvores de distância revelaram uma topologia muito similar com árvores obtidas a partir da inferência filogenética usando-se marcadores moleculares como o gene 18S de rRNA ou genomas mitocondriais. / The Eimeria genus comprises a group of protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of hosts. A total of seven different Eimeria species infect the domestic fowl, causing enteritis with severe economical losses. Species identification can be performed through microscopic analysis of the distinct morphological characteristics of the oocysts, a developmental stage of the parasite. Alternatively, molecular assays based on the amplification of specific DNA targets can also be used. In both cases, a well equipped laboratory and, especially, highly qualified personnel are required. In this work, we report a computational approach for the automatic feature extraction for shape representation of the different Eimeria species. Digital images of the parasites were used in order to apply image processing and computational vision techniques for shape characterization. Three groups of morphological features were constituted: geometric measures, curvature characterization, and internal structure quantification. The protozoan morphology was represented by a 14-dimension feature vector, which was used as the input pattern for the classification process. Two Bayesian classifiers were used for pattern recognition, using as a likelihood function the normal and the Dirichlet, respectively. The former classifier presented the best correct classification rates, whereas the latter showed a better performance in ROC curve analyses. As a proof of principle that this system could be utilized by end-users for a long-distance parasite diagnosis, we implemented COCCIMORPH, an integrated system for the real-time diagnosis of Eimeria spp. The system presents an interface for image uploading. Image preprocessing and diagnosis are performed remotely and the results displayed in real-time. This fully integrated and implemented system constitutes a novel approach for parasite diagnosis. Among the several advantages of the system, it is noteworthy that no biological sample transportation is required between the farm and the reference laboratory, thus avoiding potential environment contamination risks. To train the system, we used hundreds of micrographs of each one of the seven Eimeria species of domestic fowl. These images were used to compose a public image repository (The Eimeria Image Database). In addition, our diagnosis methodology was extended to the eleven Eimeria species that infect the domestic rabbit. With this integrated approach, a totally novel set of images and morphometric data of rabbit Eimeria were incorporated to the image database and, also to the remote diagnosis system. Finally, distance trees of the distinct Eimeria species of domestic fowl were computed from the morphometric data. The trees revealed a very similar topology with trees obtained with molecular phylogenetic markers such as the 18S rRNA gene and mitochondrial genomes.

The in vitro production of gametocytes and oocysts of the apicomplexan parasite genus Eimeria is still a challenge in coccidiosis research. Until today, an in vitro development of gametocytes or oocysts had only been shown in some Eimeria species. For several mammalian Eimeria species, partial developments could be achieved in different cell types, but a development up to gametocytes or oocysts is still lacking. This study compares several permanent cell lines with primary fetal cells of the black rat (Rattus norvegicus) concerning the qualitative in vitro development of the rat parasite Eimeria nieschulzi. With the help of transgenic parasites, the developmental progress was documented. The selected Eimeria nieschulzi strain constitutively expresses the yellow fluorescent protein and a macrogamont specific upregulated red tandem dimer tomato. In the majority of all investigated host cells the development stopped at the second merozoite stage. In a mixed culture of cells derived from inner fetal organs the development of schizont generations I-IV, macrogamonts, and oocysts were observed in crypt-like organoid structures. Microgamonts and microgametes could not be observed and oocysts did not sporulate under air supply. By immunohistology, we could confirm that wild-type E. nieschulzi stages can be found in the crypts of the small intestine. The results of this study may be helpful for characterization of native host cells and for development of an in vitro cultivation system for Eimeria species.

The genus Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Coccidia) provides a wide range of different species with different hosts to study common and variable features within the genus and its species. A common characteristic of all known Eimeria species is the oocyst, the infectious stage where its life cycle starts and ends. In our study, we utilized Eimeria nieschulzi as a model organism. This rat-specific parasite has complex oocyst morphology and can be transfected and even cultivated in vitro up to the oocyst stage. We wanted to elucidate how the known oocyst wall-forming proteins are preserved in this rodent Eimeria species compared to other Eimeria. In newly obtained genomics data, we were able to identify different gametocyte genes that are orthologous to already known gam genes involved in the oocyst wall formation of avian Eimeria species. These genes appeared putatively as single exon genes, but cDNA analysis showed alternative splicing events in the transcripts. The analysis of the translated sequence revealed different conserved motifs but also dissimilar regions in GAM proteins, as well as polymorphic regions. The occurrence of an underrepresented gam56 gene version suggests the existence of a second distinct E. nieschulzi genotype within the E. nieschulzi Landers isolate that we maintain.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Ergebnisse von 263 Einzeltierverfolgungen in 12 Betrieben in verschiedenen Regionen in Deutschland, Belgien, Frankreich und der Tschechischen Republik zur Stallkokzidiose der Kälber zusammengefasst ausgewertet. Während diesen Untersuchungen wurden 5840 Kotproben beurteilt. Dabei wurden das Auftreten und die Ausprägung der Eimeriose der Kälber analysiert und potentielle Einflussfaktoren untersucht und ein verlässlicher Schwellenwert für die Bewertung der Oozystenausscheidung ermittelt. Weiterhin wurden in 16 Betrieben bei 23 gemeinsam aufgestallten Kälbergruppen Spezies-Prävalenzuntersuchungen über einen Zeitraum von fünf Wochen durchgeführt. Hierfür wurden 5133 Proben ausgewertet, davon 3519 mit Teil- und 1614 mit vollständiger Differenzierung. In allen Betrieben traten die Kotkzidiosen als eine Mischinfektion verschiedener Eimeria-Arten auf. Dabei herrschte in der Regel in jedem Betrieb eine der beiden pathogensten Spezies vor. Diese Prädominanz blieb auch über mehrere Jahre gleich in den Betrieben. Die Herkunft der Kälber hatte einen Einfluss auf den Infektionsverlauf. In Betrieben mit ausschließlich eigener Nachzucht verläuft die Kokzidiose als eingipflige Infektion, bei Zukaufbetrieben ist der Infektionsverlauf zweigipflig. Ein signifikant erhöhtes Risiko des Auftretens einer klinisch ausgeprägten Kokzidiose bei Aufstallung auf Stroheinstreu im Vergleich zur Haltung auf Spaltenboden konnte bewiesen werden (p = 0,005). In der Verfolgungsuntersuchung korrelierten die Kokonsistenzwerte mit den nachgewiesenen OpG in den Kotproben positiv signifikant (0,135 Korrelationskoeffizient; p = 0,000). Für das Auftreten von Durchfall konnte eine statistisch bewiesene lineare Korrelation mit der Oozystenausscheidung für diverse Schwellenwerte festgestellt werden (p = 0,000). Bei einem Grenzwert von 500 OpG lag der Korrelationskoeffizient bei 0,149. Die Korrelationswerte erhöhten sich nicht wesentlich bei Festlegung eines höheren Grenzwertes für die Oozystenausscheidung oder sanken sogar (0,153 bis 0,121). Bei der Verrechnung von Durchfallvorkommen mit gleichzeitiger, potentiell relevanter Oozystenausscheidung mit den verschiedenen Schwellenwerten der Oozystenausscheidung konnte der höchste Zusammenhang zwischen dem Durchfallgeschehen und dem Schwellenwert von 500 OpG bewiesen werden (0,633 Korrelationskoeffizient; p = 0,000). Daher kann ein Wert von 500 OpG pathogener Eimeria spp. als geeigneter Schwellenwert für die Feststellung einer relevanten Oozystenausscheidung angesehen werden. Bei gleichzeitigem Auftreten von Durchfall ist von einer maßgeblichen Beteiligung der Eimerien auszugehen. Ein gehäuftes Auftreten von mit Oozystenausscheidung assoziierten Durchfällen trat bei Tieren ohne oder ohne potentiell relevante Oozystenausscheidung (‚rK -’) signifikant seltener auf (p = 0,000) als bei Tieren mit mindestens 500 aufsummierten OpG während des gesamten Beobachtungszeitraumes (‚rK +’). Kälber der Kategorie ‚Kok-Kat 1’ hatten signifikant niedrigere Kotkonsistenzwerte und weniger Durchfälle als Tiere der Subpopulation ‚rK -’ (p = 0,000). Dagegen hatten die Tiere der Auswertungsgruppe ‚Kok-Kat 2’ statistisch bewiesen in allen Durchfall-Kategorien höhere Werte bzw. ein häufigeres Durchfallvorkommen als beide anderen Subpopulationen (p = 0,000 für alle Vergleiche). Wässrige Durchfälle mit Beimengungen traten, mit Ausnahme einer Einzelbeobachtung in Gruppe ‚rK -’, ausschließlich bei Kälbern der Auswertungsgruppe ‚Kok-Kat 2’ auf. Sowohl Kälber der Gruppe ‚rK +’ als auch ‚Kok-Kat 2’-Tiere (jeweils p = 0,000) und Kälber mit potentiell relevanter Oozystenausscheidung, aber ohne gleichzeitiges Durchfallgeschehen, (‚Kok-Kat 1’) (p = 0,005) hatten signifikant geringere relative Gewichtszunahmen als Tiere ohne bzw. ohne potentiell relevante Oozystenausscheidung (‚rK -’). Eine lineare Korrelation der Ausscheidung der pathogenen Spezies E. bovis und E. zuernii mit den absoluten (-0,098 Korrelationskoeffizient; p = 0,005) und relativen Gewichtszunahmen (-0,170 Korrelationskoeffizient; p = 0,000) konnte statistisch bewiesen werden. Bei Haltung auf Stroheinstreu zeigten Tiere ohne bzw. mit weniger als 500 ausgeschiedenen OpG im Untersuchungszeitraum (‚rK -’) signifikant höhere relative Zunahmen im Vergleich zu Tieren mit potentiell relevanter Oozystenausscheidung (p = 0,000). Dabei war es ohne Bedeutung, ob diese Kälber ein gleichzeitiges Durchfallgeschehen zeigten oder nicht. Besonders zum Tragen kommen diese Unterschiede in der Gewichtsentwicklung in den Wochen mit den höchsten Oozystenausscheidungen bei zweigipfligem Infektionsverlauf. Unter den Milchviehkälbern nahmen Tiere ohne relevante Oozystenausscheidung signifikant mehr relatives Gewicht zu als Kälber mit kumulativ mindestens 500 OpG im Untersuchungszeitraum (p = 0,004). Dies galt sowohl für Tiere mit gleichzeitigem Durchfall ‚Kok-Kat 2’ (p = 0,002) als auch tendenziell für Kälber der Gruppe ‚Kok-Kat 1’ (p = 0,059). Mastviehkälber der Gruppe ‚rK -’ zeigten signifikant höhere relative Zunahmen im Vergleich zu Tieren mit potentiell relevanter Oozystenausscheidung ‚rK +’ (p = 0,039). Dies galt auch in Relation zu den Kälbern der Auswertungsgruppe ‚Kok-Kat 1’ (p = 0,029). Während der Prävalenzuntersuchungen wurden insgesamt neun verschiedene Eimeria-Arten nachgewiesen. In Einzelkotproben wurden zwischen einer und neun verschiedene Spezies beobachtet. Unter den in Europa als heimisch bekannten Arten wurden während dieser Untersuchung lediglich E. wyomingensis, E. brasiliensis und E. bukidnonensis nicht gefunden. E. ellipsoidalis hatte sowohl die höchste Inzidenz (20,99 %) als auch die größte Intensität (arithmetischer Mittelwert von 765963,37 OpG), gefolgt von E. bovis und E. zuernii. Zudem wurde in Aufzuchtbetrieben E. ellipsoidalis in der Regel als erste Eimeria-Spezies, gefolgt von E. auburnensis und den pathogenen Arten E. zuernii und E. bovis, nachgewiesen. Die seltensten Spezies waren E. canadensis und E. pellita. Eimeria pellita wurde als letzte Art erst ab der fünften Woche nach Aufstallung beobachtet. E. cylindrica trat vermehrt in den Betrieben in Belgien und Frankreich auf. Diese Art sowie E. canadensis wurden nur in Betrieben in Bayern, Belgien und Frankreich festgestellt. E. pellita hatte, neben E. canadensis, die geringsten Prävalenzen, Nachweise wurden vor allem für zentral gelegene Betriebe sowie im Süden des Untersuchungsgebietes dokumentiert. Die Übereinstimmung der gefundenen Varianzen der Speziesprävalenzen der vorliegenden Untersuchung mit den Daten epidemiologischer Studien in den verschiedenen Regionen aus der Literatur bestätigt einen repräsentativen Charakter der Untersuchungsbetriebe. Dies belegt zusätzlich die Allgemeingültigkeit der festgestellten Einflussfaktoren auf das Auftreten und die Auswirkungen der Stallkokzidiose der Kälber. / A total number of 263 calves housed on 12 different farms in several regions in Germany, Belgium, France and the Czech Republic were followed individually in tracking studies and data was compiled and analysed to investigate factors influencing occurrence and severity of bovine eimeriosis of housed calves. The same data was used for development and verification of a suitable threshold indicating relevant oocyst excretion. Within the tracking studies a total number of 5840 faecal samples were examined for faecal consistency, oocyst counts of pathogenic E. bovis and E. zuernii excretion carried out and individual body weight development was documented regularly. Additionally 23 groups of animals on 16 farms were observed for a period of five weeks and 5133 faecal samples examined for oocyst excretion and Eimeria species differentiated. All study sites were positive for mixed coccidia species infections. Nevertheless all farms except one showed a predominance of one pathogenic Eimeria species, which remained unchanged in different groups of animals and even in different years of investigations. Animal origin, i.e. groups of animals representing own breeding or originating of only one source in contrast to groups of calves coming from several origins, influences the course of the coccidiosis infection. Farms with only one single and permanent animal origin or raising exclusively the own breeding show coccidiosis with a single peak of oocyst excretion. On farms housing groups of animals of various origins the course of infection and oocyst shedding has typically two peaks with an interval of two to three weeks. The risk for development of clinical coccidiosis rises significantly if animals were housed on straw bedding compared to slatted-floor (p = 0.005). Faecal scores correlated significantly (p = 0.000) with the intensity of oocyst excretion with a positive correlation coefficient of 0.135. For occurrence of diarrhoea a positive linear correlation with the oocyst excretion was statistically proved (p = 0.000) for various thresholds. At a threshold of 500 opg of E. bovis and E. zuernii the correlation coefficient rised to 0.149 and correlation coefficients did not rise distinctly or even got down if higher thresholds were used (values between 0.153 and 0.121). Focusing only on potentially coccidiosis related diarrhoea the threshold of 500 opg of E. bovis and E. zuernii proved to result in the highest correlation (0.633; p = 0.000) of all tested threshold levels. Therefore the threshold of 500 opg of E. bovis and E. zuernii can be accounted modest and reliable to detect a relevant oocyst excretion in individual faecal samples as well as in compiled samples. In cases of coincidental diarrhoea coccidiosis can be considered as a major factor. Increased numbers of days with diarrhoea in coincidence with an oocyst excretion (‘Kokass-DF’) within the observation period were seen significantly more often (p = 0.000) in animals with a potentially relevant oocyst excretion (‘rK +’) of at least 500 summed up opg of E. bovis and E. zuernii in comparison to calves without such an oocyst excretion (‘rK -‘). Significantly lower faecal scores and fewer days with diarrhoea were documented for calves of the group ‘Kok-Kat 1’ in contrast to animals of group ‘rK -‘ (p = 0.000). Nevertheless significantly higher faecal scores and more days with diarrhoea than both other groups were calculated for those calves meeting the inclusion criteria for group ‘Kok-Kat 2’ (p = 0.000 for all comparisons). Additionally liquid faeces or faeces with constituencies were seen only in this group, except for one single sample of a calf of group ‘rK -‘. Calves of evaluation group ‘rK +’ as well as both subpopulations representing group ‘Kok-Kat 2’ and calves with potentially relevant oocyst excretion but without diarrhoea associated to an oocyst excretion (‘Kok-Kat 1’) showed significant lower values for relative body weight increases in comparison to animals without relevant oocyst excretion throughout the complete study period of five weeks (‘rK -‘) (p = 0.000 vs. ‘rK +’ and vs. ‘Kok-Kat 2‘; p = 0.005 compared with ‘Kok-Kat 1’). A negative linear correlation between oocyst excretion of pathogenic Eimeria spp. and absolute (-0.098 correlation coefficient; p = 0.005) as well as relative body weight gain (-0.170 correlation coefficient) was verified statistically (p = 0.000). Animals housed on straw bedding and belonging to the group ‘rK -‘ gained relatively more body weight in comparison to calves housed in the same stables and meeting the inclusion criterium of group ‘rK +’, i.e. excreting at least 500 summed up opg of pathogenic E. spp., (p = 0.000) within the total study period. The presence of coincidental diarrhoea had no impact on impaired body weight development of animals with a potentially relevant coccidia excretion. Differences in body weight development were most distinct within the weeks of highest intensities in oocyst excretion according to a course of infection with two peaks. Within the subpopulation of dairy calves those animals belonging to evaluation group ‘rK -‘ developed significantly higher relative body weight gains compared to group ‘rK +’ (p = 0.004). Similar results were found for animals of group ‘Kok-Kat 2’ (p = 0.002) and a statistical tendency was calculated for group ‘Kok-Kat 1’ (p = 0.059) in comparison to group ‘rK -‘. Analogous to the differences in dairy calves animals on fattening farms without relevant oocyst excretion (‘rK -’) had significantly higher relative body weight gains compared to calves of evaluation group ‘rK +’ (p = 0.039) and animals of group ‘Kok-Kat 1’ (p = 0.029) of the same breeds and farms. Nine different Eimeria spp. were detected during the prevalence studies. In single individual samples a minimum of one and up to nine different species were found. Twelve Eimeria spp. are known to be endemic in Europe of which only E. brasiliensis, E. bukidnonensis and E. wyomingensis were not present in any faecal sample in this study. E. bovis and E. zuernii were only second to E. ellipsoidalis which had the highest prevalence (20.99 %) as well as the highest intensity (765963.37 mean opg) in the faecal samples examined. In breeding farms E. ellipsoidalis was the first species to be found in faecal examination in most cases, followed by E. auburnensis and the pathogenic species E. zuernii and E. bovis. E. canadensis and E. pellita were detected only in a low number of samples. E. pellita was observed for the first time at the faecal samplings five weeks after stabling and mainly in farms situated in the central and southern region of the prevalence study. E. canadensis and E. cylindrica were most prominent in farms situated in Belgium and France. Variances in prevalence of the species observed are in conformity with those to be found in recent literature according to the different regions of Europe. This may indicate a representative character of the farms participating in this study and therefore universal validity of the results and impactfactors on coccidiosis in calves described in this manuscript.

In den vorliegenden Studien wurde die Eimeria zuernii – Kokzidiose im Hinblick auf den klinischen Verlauf, die Pathophysiologie, die Pathologie und einen metaphylaktischen Behandlungsansatz charakterisiert. Hierfür wurden experimentelle Infektionen an Kälbern durchgeführt, zusätzlich wurden natürlich infizierte Tiere in die Prüfung der Wirksamkeit der Behandlung einbezogen. Die parasitologischen und pathophysiologischen Untersuchungen wurden im Infektionsmodell an insgesamt 41 Kälbern durchgeführt, die in drei Gruppen eingeteilt wurden: eine uninfizierte Kontrollgruppe 1 (n=14), die moderat infizierte Gruppe 2 (150.000 sporulierte E. zuernii – Oozysten pro Kalb, n=11) und die hochdosiert infizierte Gruppe 3 (250.000 sporulierte E. zuernii – Oozysten pro Kalb, n=16). Die Tiere wurden regelmäßig klinisch und ihre Kotproben auf Konsistenz und Parasitenaussscheidung untersucht. Es wurden regelmäßig Blutproben zur Bestimmung hämatologischer und klinisch-chemischer Parameter sowie des Säure-Basen-Status entnommen, und die Tiere wurden wöchentlich gewogen. Die Infektion mit E. zuernii löste bei allen Tieren der Gruppen 2 und 3 nach einer variablen Präpatenzdauer eine Ausscheidung von E. zuernii-Oozysten aus. Im Gegensatz zur uninfizierten Kontrollgruppe entwickelten alle infizierten Tiere Durchfall mit teils hämorrhagischem Charakter, wobei eine deutliche Korrelation zwischen der Oozystenausscheidung und dem Auftreten von Diarrhoe nachgewiesen werden konnte. Klinische Erkrankungen traten häufiger in der hochdosiert infizierten als in der moderat infizierten Gruppe auf. Hierbei standen Exsikkosen und ein vermindertes Allgemeinbefinden im Vordergrund. Ein Tier der hochinfizierten Gruppe erkrankte aufgrund der Kokzidiose infaust. Die Gewichtszunahmen waren in beiden infizierten Gruppen, bezogen auf die Kontrollgruppe 1, signifikant erniedrigt, in der hochdosiert infizierten Gruppe 3 stärker als in der moderat infizierten Gruppe 2. Die Veränderungen bei den untersuchten Blutparametern traten im Allgemeinen dosisabhängig auf. In Gruppe 3 wurden stärkere Abweichungen von den Blutwerten der Kontrollkälber beobachtet als in Gruppe 2. Initial kam es während der Patenz zu einer Leukopenie, welche anschließend in eine Leukozytose überging. Im Zuge der enteralen Blut- und Wasserverluste bildeten sich eine Hämokonzentration sowie eine Retikulozytose heraus, was als Hinweis auf eine regenerative Anämie gewertet wird. Während der Patenz fand eine Umstellung des Organismus auf einen katabolen Stoffwechsel statt, was sich in einer Lipolyse und einem gesteigerten Proteinabbau niederschlug. Außerdem kam es zu einer Störung der Homoiostase. Es lagen Elektrolytverluste über den geschädigten Darm vor, und es entwickelte sich eine respiratorisch kompensierte metabolische Azidose. Die pathologischen Untersuchungen wurden an sechs weiteren moderat infizierten Kälbern (150.000 sporulierte E. zuernii – Oozysten pro Kalb) durchgeführt. In der späten Präpatenz (16 Tage p.i.) zeigten sich nur geringe Läsionen durch die Schizogoniestadien vom kaudalen Jejunum bis zum mittleren Kolon. Zum Höhepunkt der Patenz hin (21 Tage p.i.) wiesen die beiden untersuchten Tiere akute, teils nekrotisierende Enteritiden auf, vor allem im proximalen Kolon sowie im Zäkum. Offenbar verursacht die Gamogonie, welche zu diesem Zeitpunkt vorherrscht, die stärksten Schleimhautschäden und ist damit als Auslöser der Durchfallerscheinungen zu betrachten. Gegen Ende der Patenz, am 26. Tag p.i., lagen noch entzündliche Infiltrationen der Schleimhautabschnitte vom terminalen Ileum bis zum Kolon vor, parallel fanden regenerative und hyperplastische Prozesse statt. Im Infektionsmodell und anschließend unter Feldbedingungen wurde die Effektivität einer einmaligen oralen metaphylaktischen Toltrazurilbehandlung (15 mg pro kg Körpergewicht, Baycox® 5% Suspension) etwa 14 Tage nach der Infektion getestet. Für die Prüfung unter experimentellen Bedingungen wurden 23 Kälber mit einer Dosis von 150.000 sporulierten E. zuernii – Oozysten infiziert. Die Anwendung des Toltrazurils im Feld wurde im Rahmen einer multizentrischen Studie mit fünf Studienbetrieben und insgesamt 208 Kälbern getestet. Es lagen in allen Betrieben Mischinfektionen mit den Pathogenen E. zuernii und E. bovis vor. In jedem der beiden GCP-Versuche wurde etwa die Hälfte der Tiere behandelt, während die andere Hälfte als Negativkontrolle unbehandelt blieb. Durch den Einsatz des Antikokzidiums konnten im Experiment sowie unter Feldbedingungen die Durchfalldauer und –schwere ebenso wie die Dauer und Höhe der Oozystenausscheidung im Vergleich zur unbehandelten Kontrolle signifikant gesenkt werden. Die Gewichtszunahme war in der toltrazurilbehandelten Gruppe unter experimentellen Bedingungen signifikant höher als in der Kontrollgruppe, im Feld ließ sich dieser Effekt nicht zeigen. Damit konnte die E. zuernii – Infektion im zeitlichen Verlauf und im Einfluss auf das Zielorgan Darm und den Gesamtorganismus unter den standardisierten Bedingungen einer experimentellen Infektion dargestellt werden. Es konnte eine Behandlungsmöglichkeit als hochwirksam eingestuft werden, welche durch die frühe, metaphylaktische Anwendung eines Kokzidiostatikums die zu erwartenden Darmläsionen während der späten Schizogonie und der Gamogonie unterbindet.

Eimeria is an apicomplexan parasite causing disease coccidiosis that is most prominent in poultry farming industry. This thesis is aimed to develop new molecular tools and resolve issues that would be a valuable contribution in the field from both research and industry perspective. Because immunity to Eimeria is strictly species- specific, it is important to know and recognize correctly all species that parasitize the host. Traditional diagnostic approaches rely on classical methods such as oocyst morphology determination under the microscope, measurement of prepatent period or in-vivo assessment of lesions caused by this parasite. However, diagnostics of individual species using these methods is very time-consuming and it is often unreliable, especially when mixture of multiple species whose parameters overlap is analyzed. Methods utilizing conventional PCR to distinguish species already exist, however, they lack advantages offered by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The first aim of this thesis was to develop qPCR assays for detection and quantification of seven Eimeria species which infect chicken utilizing single-copy non-polymorphic targets in order to ensure maximal specifity and coverage of all strains of each species. Usefulness of this method was demonstrated by analysis of field...

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da mistura comercial do líquido da casca de castanha de caju e do óleo de mamona (Essential, Oligo Basics Agroind. Ltda., Cascavel, Brasil) no desempenho, na microbiota e no sistema imune de frangos de corte desafiados ou não por coccidiose. Ao total 864 pintos machos (Cobb) de um dia de idade foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 6 tratamentos (8 boxes/tratamento e 18 pintos/box) em um desenho fatorial 3 x 2 com 3 aditivos: controle (sem aditivo), 100 ppm de monensina ou 0,15% de Essential e 2 níveis de desafio aos 14 dias de idade: não desafiados ou inoculados por gavagem com 1mL de solução contendo oocistos esporulados de E. tenella, E. acervulina e E. máxima. Os resultados foram divididos em dois artigos. Artigo 1: Na primeira semana após desafio, as aves desafiadas suplementadas com monensina apresentaram maior ganho de peso (GP), consumo de ração (CR) e melhor conversão alimentar (CA) (P <0,05), porém na segunda semana o Essential apresentou maior GP e melhor CA (P <0,05), aos 42 dias de idade, ambos os grupos não se diferiram em GP, CR, PV e foram maiores do que o controle (P <0,05). A utilização de monensina em aves desafiadas reduziu o número cópias do domínio bactéria e de E.coli (P<0,05), por sua vez, a suplementação com Essential reduziu Clostridium Cluster XIV, Clostridium perfringens e Staphylococcus aureus em relação aos demais tratamentos (P<0,05). As aves não desafiadas que receberam Essential ou monensina apresentaram menor população de C.perfringens e S. aureus (P<0,05). Artigo 2: O grupo que recebeu Essential aumentou a expressão gênica de IFN-y, IL-6 e TNF-α (P<0,05) e o grupo controle aumentou a expressão gênica de COX-2 e IL-1 em relação aos demais tratamentos (P<0,05). As aves não desafiadas que receberam monensina apresentaram maior expressão gênica de IFN-y, COX-2 e IL-1 comparadas aos demais tratamentos (P<0,05), ao contrário do grupo com Essential que reduziu a expressão gênica com exceção do TNF-α. Aos 7 e 14 dias após o desafio houve maior excreção de oocistos para o grupo controle, Essential e monensina não diferiram-se (P>0,05). Assim, o Essential melhorou o desempenho de frangos de corte infectados por coccidiose após a segunda semana do desafio e atuou como um modulador da microbiota intestinal e do sistema imune, direcionando a resposta inflamatória contra o parasita. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial mixture of cashew shell liquid and castor oil (Essential, Oligo Basics Agroind. Ltda., Cascavel, Brazil) on growth performance, immunity and microbiota in broilers challenged with coccidiosis. A total of 864 one-day-old male chicks (Cobb) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments (8 pens/treatment and 18 birds/pen) in a 3 x 2 factorial design with 3 additives: control (no additive), 100 ppm of monensin, and 0.15% of Essential; and 2 challenge levels at 14 days of age: no challenge and inoculation by gavage of 1 ml of a solution containing sporulated oocysts of E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima. The results were divided into two articles. Article 1: In the first week after challenge, challenged birds supplemented with monensin showed higher LW, WG, FI and better FCR (P <0.05), but in the second week Essential presented higher WG and better FCR (P <0.05), at 42 days of age, both groups did not differ in WG, FI, and LW and were higher than the control (P <0.05). The use of monensin in challenged birds reduced the number of copies of the bacteria domain and of E.coli (P<0,05). In turn, Essential supplementation reduced Clostridium Cluster XIV, Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus in relation to the other treatments (P<0,05). The unchallenged birds that received Essential or monensin presented a lower population of C.perfringens and S. aureus (P<0,05). In addition, Essential presented higher number of copies of Lactobacillus spp., followed by monensin and control (P <0.05). Article 2: The group that received Essential increased the gene expression of IFN-y, IL-6 e TNF-α (P<0,05) and the control group increased the gene expression of COX-2 and IL-1 in relation to the other treatments (P <0.05). The unchallenged birds that received monensin presented upregulated expression of IFN-y, COX-2 and IL-1 compared to the other treatments (P <0.05), unlike the Essential group, which reduced gene expression with the exception of TNF-α. At 7 and 14 days after the challenge there was a higher excretion of oocysts for the control group, Essential and monensin did not differ (P>0,05). Thus, Essential improved the performance of coccidiosis-infected broiler chickens after the second week of challenge, as well as acts as a modulator of intestinal flora and immune system, directing the inflammatory response against the parasite.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:17:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008 - Landreani Ramirez Goncalves.pdf: 6369784 bytes, checksum: 2ab259d1285dd8c5e8bb6e214271bc0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-03 / The aim of this work was to identify the parasites present in feces of pigs created rustically, as well as, verify the possibility of the morphological differences between the oocysts of the genus Eimeria recovered and, the frequency of these and of other endoparasites considering the age and sex of the animals. Eighteen samples of feces were collected directly from the rectum of animals from the 13 properties located in Municipality of Rio Claro, in the South Fluminense Para?ba Valley in the State of Rio de Janeiro. After the sporulation process of the positive samples, the oocysts could be observed and identified. In the current study, was possible to observe that despite of the animals are created rustically, these presented a low infection percentage. Helminthes eggs were present in 41,25 % of the examined samples being that eggs of the Strongylidae family present in 35% of the samples and were observed with a bigger frequency in young animals (27,5 %) being less frequent in the adults (7,5 %); Trichuris suis eggs were found only in young animals (3,75 %); Ascaris suum eggs in one young animal (1,25 %) and one animal was positive for eggs of the Strongylida order (1,25 %). Fifty-four percent (54 %) of the samples was positive for the species of the genus Eimeria, 46,25 % for Cryptosporidium spp. and 6,25 % for Cystoisospora suis. The species of the genus Eimeria founded and characterized in this study were confirmed through the use of histograms, as being: E. debliecki, E. neodebliecki, E. polita, E. suis, E. porci and E. scabra. It was observed, that the young animals presented bigger infection percentage. The characteristics observed in this study, in the oocysts and sporocysts, was better detailed microscopically revealing structures not observed previously by other authors, as well as, few have been the works concerning to infection for endoparasites in swines in Brazil, principally the works correlating your frequency and epidemiology. / Com o objetivo de identificar os agentes parasit?rios presentes nas fezes de su?nos criados de forma r?stica, assim como, poss?veis diferen?as morfol?gicas entre os oocistos das esp?cies do g?nero Eimeria encontradas e, a freq??ncia destas e de outros endoparasitos levando-se em considera??o a idade e sexo dos animais foram examinadas 80 amostras de fezes, coletadas diretamente da ampola retal dos animais oriundos de 13 propriedades localizadas no munic?pio de Rio Claro microrregi?o do Vale do Para?ba Sul Fluminense, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As amostras positivas foram colocadas para esporular com a finalidade de facilitar a identifica??o das esp?cies de cocc?dios encontrados. No presente estudo, pode-se observar que apesar dos animais serem criados de forma r?stica, apresentaram baixo percentual de infec??o. Ovos de helmintos estavam presentes em 41,25% das amostras examinadas sendo que ovos da fam?lia Strongylidae estavam presentes em 35% das amostras e foram observados com uma maior freq??ncia em animais jovens (27,5%) sendo menos freq?ente nos adultos (7,5%); ovos de Trichuris suis somente foram encontrados em animais jovens (3,75%); ovos de Ascaris suum em um animal jovem (1,25%) e um animal foi positivo para ovos da ordem Strongylida (1,25%). Cinq?enta e quatro porcento (54%) das amostras estavam positivas para o g?nero Eimeria, 46,25% para Cryptosporidium spp. e 6,25% para Cystoisospora suis. As esp?cies do g?nero Eimeria encontradas e caracterizadas neste estudo foram confirmadas atrav?s da utiliza??o de histogramas, como sendo E. debliecki, E. neodebliecki, E. polita, E. suis, E. porci, E. scabra. Observou-se ainda, que os animais jovens apresentaram maior percentual de infec??o. As caracter?sticas morfom?tricas observadas neste estudo, tanto nos oocistos como nos esporocistos, foi melhor detalhada microscopicamente revelando estruturas n?o observadas anteriormente por outros autores, assim como, poucos t?m sido os estudos concernentes ? infec??o por endoparasitos em su?nos no Brasil, principalmente os trabalhos relacionados ? sua freq??ncia e a epidemiologia.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2018-10-24T18:21:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Landreani Ramirez Gon?alves.pdf: 8003058 bytes, checksum: e13700985eb0d202769bd0800bc459ea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-24T18:21:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Landreani Ramirez Gon?alves.pdf: 8003058 bytes, checksum: e13700985eb0d202769bd0800bc459ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-25 / The buffalo is considered as a great option for domestic livestock. However, coccidiosis or eimeriosis is a disease that causes a health problem of growing economic importance in Brazilian cattle. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Eimeria present in the faeces of buffalo, their distribution, frequency and prevalence in the State of Rio de Janeiro, as well as in the regions studied. Regarding morphotypes found observed the presence of three specific species such as buffalo E. bareillyi, E. ankarensis and E. gokaki, and the latter two species were noted for the first time in Brazil. And the morphotypes common to cattle and buffalo, buffalo were found in E. alabamensis, E. auburnensis, E. bovis, E. brasiliensis, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. subspherica and E. zuernii. The most prevalent species in the state of Rio de Janeiro was E. zuernii, but this is not observed when analyzing the frequencies of each species per meso studied, and E. auburnensis more prevalent in the regions North Fluminense, Metropolitan and Northwest Fluminense, E. ellipsoidalis more prevalent in Central Fluminense and Coastal Lowlands, E. zuernii mesoregion in South Fluminense. The distribution of the genus Eimeria was not homogeneous, even within a meso, having been observed buffalo with a single species or with up to eight species of the genus Eimeria, these results may characterize properties of extensive creations where the animals have remained independent of age and sex persist for a long time. The morphometric characteristics observed in both the oocysts and sporocysts we were better detailed in this study. / A bubalinocultura ? considerada como uma grande op??o para pecu?ria nacional. No entanto, a coccidiose ou eimeriose ? uma enfermidade que gera um problema sanit?rio de import?ncia econ?mica crescente na pecu?ria brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as esp?cies de Eimeria presentes nas fezes de b?falos, sua distribui??o, frequ?ncia e preval?ncia no estado do Rio de Janeiro, assim como, nas mesorregi?es estudadas. Quanto aos morfotipos encontrados observou-se a presen?a de tr?s esp?cies espec?ficas de b?falos como E. bareillyi, E. ankarensis e E. gokaki, sendo que as duas ?ltimas esp?cies foram assinaladas pela primeira vez no Brasil. E os morfotipos comuns a bovinos e b?falos, encontrados em b?falos foram: E. alabamensis, E. auburnensis, E. bovis, E. brasiliensis, E. cylindrica, E. ellipsoidalis, E. subspherica e E. zuernii. A esp?cie mais prevalente no estado do Rio de Janeiro foi E. zuernii, por?m isto n?o se observa quando analisadas as frequ?ncias das esp?cies por cada uma das mesorregi?es estudadas, sendo E. auburnensis mais prevalente nas mesorregi?es Norte Fluminense, Metropolitana e Noroeste Fluminense, E. ellipsoidalis mais prevalente no Centro Fluminense e Baixada Litor?nea, E. zuernii na mesorregi?o do Sul Fluminense. A distribui??o das esp?cies do g?nero Eimeria n?o foi homog?nea, mesmo dentro de uma mesorregi?o, tendo sido observado b?falos com uma s? esp?cie ou com at? oito esp?cies do g?nero Eimeria; esses resultados podem caracterizar propriedades de cria??es extensivas onde a perman?ncia dos animais, independente da idade e sexo persistem por um longo tempo. As caracter?sticas morfom?tricas observadas, tanto nos oocistos como nos esporocistos, foram mais bem detalhadas neste estudo.